Intercession Every Christian’s Duty

Brethren, pray for us. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:25

Whitefield preached Intercession Every Christian’s Duty as a farewell, on the eve of leaving a congregation he did not expect to see again. His text is the shortest verse in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians: Brethren, pray for us. He could have preached it simply as a request for their prayers, and at the end he does make that request. But he takes the text much further, and turns it into a plea for a whole way of praying — one that looks outward from the self to the world.

Why love grows cold

He begins with a question. Why is there so little love among Christians? Why is the very mark by which the world should know Christ’s disciples almost banished from the church? His answer is surprising. It is owing, in large part, he says, to the neglect of intercession — of praying for others.

Some neglect it because they seldom pray even for themselves. But even those who pray faithfully are often so taken up with their own needs that they forget their brethren. Whitefield does not despise praying for oneself. A true Christian, he says, cannot help it: “you might as reasonably expect to find a living man without breath, as a true Christian without the spirit of prayer and supplication.” The sense of our own weakness and Christ’s fullness drives us to our knees. But it should not keep us there alone.

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. GALATIANS 6:2

He points to Christ Himself. In His great prayer in John 17, on the night before He suffered, Christ asked little for Himself and much for His disciples. And in the prayer He taught us, every petition is in the plural: Our Father, give us, forgive us, lead us.

For whom to pray

Whitefield then sets out, in order, those for whom we should intercede.

First, all men. As God’s mercy is over all His works, and Christ died to redeem a people from every nation, so we should pray that all men may come to the knowledge of the truth.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 TIMOTHY 2:1–2

Second, rulers — kings and all in authority. The burden of government is heavy, and the welfare of a whole people depends much on those who govern.

Third, and with special insistence, ministers. Whitefield presses this hard. Much good is withheld from congregations, he suspects, because they do not pray for their pastors. People complain of the want of faithful ministers; but how can they expect them if they never ask God for them? It is ingratitude, he says, to receive the labour of a minister and never pray for him in return. And if a congregation prayed while its minister preached, it would see more fruit from his preaching and more love between pastor and people.

Fourth, friends — and not in vague terms, but according to their particular circumstances. Moses prayed, Lord, heal her. The nobleman said, My little daughter lieth at the point of death. Abraham’s servant prayed in precise detail for a wife for Isaac, and was answered precisely. Such particular prayer, Whitefield admits, may oblige people to break away from set forms; but a deep sense of what we ask will give even the unlettered the words they need.

Fifth, enemies. Christ commanded it and did it, praying for His murderers from the cross.

Sixth, all who are afflicted in mind, body or estate, all who ask for our prayers, and all who do not pray for themselves.

What intercession does

Whitefield then gives his reasons for making intercession a daily practice.

It fills the heart with love. A person who prays daily for all mankind cannot long harbour envy, malice or revenge. Whitefield offers a piece of advice worth practising: when you hear of your neighbour’s faults, instead of repeating them to others, lay them before God in secret and ask Him to amend them. When you hear of a notorious sinner, instead of being angry, ask Christ to make him a monument of His grace.

It is powerful. Scripture records intercession stopping plagues, opening and shutting heaven, and turning away God’s anger from His people. Abraham pleaded for Sodom; Moses stood in the gap for Israel; Elijah prayed and the rain came.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. JAMES 5:16

And it joins us to the work of Christ. This is the most beautiful thing in the sermon. The risen Christ sits at the right hand of God and ever lives to make intercession for His people. So, says Whitefield, “he who is constantly employed in interceding for others, is doing that on earth, which the eternal Son of God is always doing in heaven.”

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. HEBREWS 7:25

Where care is needed

In one place Whitefield speculates that the saints in glory may also intercede for the church on earth. He offers it tentatively, and it is a speculation Scripture does not settle; it is certainly no ground for praying to them, which he would have abhorred. It is also worth saying that he uses the word omnipotency of intercession, adding that he could almost say it. The qualification matters. Prayer is powerful because God is, and God remains free to answer as He wills.

A farewell request

The sermon ends with Whitefield asking his hearers to pray for him, that nothing may move him from his duty, and that his eye may become more single. He admits he has been accused of selfish motives, and he does not claim to be above them; he asks for prayer that he may be purer still. It is a humble ending to a sermon about looking beyond oneself.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. EPHESIANS 6:18

FOR REFLECTION AND ACTION

1. Begin a written list of people to pray for, following Whitefield’s order: the world, those in authority, your ministers, your friends, your enemies and the afflicted.

2. Pray for your pastor by name every day this week, and tell him or her that you are doing so.

3. When you next hear of someone’s fault, do not repeat it. Take it to God instead.

4. Choose one person who has wronged you and pray for their good each day for a month.

5. Read Intercession Every Christian’s Duty in the Ochorus library, and set apart a fixed time each day for praying for others.

A PRAYER

Lord Jesus, You ever live to make intercession for Your people. Teach me to join You in that work.

Enlarge my prayers beyond myself. Let me pray for the world, for those who govern, for those who teach me, for my friends and for my enemies.

When I hear of others’ faults, turn my tongue to prayer instead of gossip, and fill my heart with Your love.

Hear my prayers for others, not because they are strong but because You are, and You delight to answer. Amen.